MDC to Debate Innovation, ESG and Coins in a Digital World

The Mint Directors Conference (MDC) 2023 is fast approaching and the hosts, the Royal Canadian Mint, have shared the highlights of the programme, comprising two days of thought-provoking sessions designed to spark conversation, open minds and look to the future for the global minting industry.

Both days will be complemented by Technical Committee presentations and breakout sessions where mints and suppliers will touch on technical advancements and collaborative work of benefit to the industry.

This is the first MDC to take place since the pandemic, the last having been held in Seoul, Korea in 2018. It takes place in Ottawa, Canada from 15-18 October.

After a welcome from conference host Marie Lemay, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint, the former Governor of the Bank of Canada, Stephen Poloz, will set the stage with a future- and sustainability-focused keynote address on his macro view of the economic and financial landscape in an increasingly complex world – a perfect introduction to the plenary session on ‘The Future of Circulation Coinage in a Digital World’.

On another topic of interest, ‘Innovative Trends in Marketing: How Can Mints Think Outside the Box?’, will dive into opportunities for mints to think of novel ways to promote and market their products.

This discussion will be complemented by ‘Rethinking Numismatics – Appealing to the New Collector’, an interactive session where both mints and dealers will visit the challenges and opportunities facing the business of coin collecting and share ideas about fostering winning conditions for the hobby of coin collecting.

Day 2 will embrace sustainability. After an overview of the methodology behind ensuring the carbon neutrality of MDC 2023, delegates will hear from keynote speaker, Dr Farah Alibay, who will share her insights on the importance of sustainability from her perspective as an accomplished aerospace engineer. Dr Alibay will set the tone for ‘How Can Mints be Leaders in Sustainability’, a plenary session exploring concrete actions in a world that demands increased focus on ESG.

‘Bullion, Sustainability and Appealing to New Investors’ will bring together state and private bullion producers to ponder questions such as the importance of sustainability to bullion customers, the types of information expected from bullion customers, and how ESG performance is being communicated to stakeholders.

Mint leaders will close the program with ‘The Business Imperative of Social Responsibility’, touching on everything from leveraging socially responsible practices to enhancing employee and community engagement to build customer confidence.

In addition to the programme itself, the three days of the conference will also include a number of social events, as well as hosting the MDC Awards.

A welcome reception will be held on the evening of Sunday 15 October, sponsored by the MKS Pamp Group, on the top floor of the Westin Hotel, with panoramic views over Ottawa.

The evening event on Monday 16 October, sponsored by Poongsan, will take place at the Fairmont Le Château Montebello, the world’s largest log cabin, offering a true French Canadian experience along the banks of the Outaouais River and surrounded by spectacular fall foliage.

The gala dinner and awards evening on Tuesday 17 October, sponsored by Sunshine Minting and A-Mark Precious Metals, will be held at the Canadian Museum of History in the Grand Hall. It houses one of the world’s largest indoor collections of totem poles with views of the Ottawa River and Parliament Hill.

Delegates are also invited to visit the RCM’s Ottawa manufacturing facility on Wednesday 18 October for a behind‑the‑scenes look at the coin production that has been taking place in the heart of Canada’s capital since the Mint first opened its doors in 1908.

In addition, the RCM is happy to welcome delegates to its Winnipeg facility, where circulating coins are produced both for Canada and around the world. Winnipeg is a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Ottawa and delegates can visit on either 19 or 20 October.

The full programme and other information can be found at canada.mintdirectorsconference.com.